National Briefing

Washington, D.c.

Analysis expects pricier electricity

Climate change legislation before Congress would boost electricity prices by about 20% by 2030, although most of the increases wouldn't begin until after 2020, a government analysis concluded.

The Energy Information Administration said that the ability to contain the cost to consumers depends largely on whether the country is successful in a "large-scale" expansion of nuclear power and renewable energy sources that do not emit greenhouse gases, and the deployment of carbon-capture technology at coal plants.

Legislation approved by the House and expected to be taken up in the Senate later this year would require carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions be cut by 17% over the next 11 years and by 83% by midcentury.